Dag & Red 0-2 Hartlepool: Match Report

08 February 2014 06:02

Luke Williams and Andy Monkhouse were both on the scoresheet as Hartlepool did their play-off hopes no harm at all with a battling 2-0 away win over Dagenham.

Striker Williams pounced in the 69th minute at the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham Stadium, before Monkhouse netted with a minute remaining to secure three valuable points for United in their quest to break into the top seven.

The north-east club are still nine points adrift of the play-off places but their first victory in three games gave their travelling supporters plenty to smile about.

Defeat for Dagenham was their first in three matches but the London club remain in the hunt for the play-offs themselves despite being upset on their home patch.

Medy Elito shot just wide early in the contest as the Daggers started brightly, before Luke James rifled wide of the left upright at the other end.

Rhys Murphy and Luke Morris both went close for the hosts but United dominated the second half and, after Williams and fellow forward Marlon Harewood had failed to convert good chances, it was the former who netted with a deflected long-range strike.

It was Williams' first goal of the season and first since September 2012, while then Monkhouse bagged his sixth goal of the campaign at the close to make sure it was a good day on their travels for United.